The Colt Brennan Award Tracker has undergone massive overhauls, fine tunings and checkups over the season. But over the past few weeks, it has hit its stride. The same can be said for the players who have risen to the top and are true challengers for the award. As conference championship weekend approaches, it could come down to a play or two to decide not only which teams will come out on top, but who will be awarded the most prestigious Group of Five award in the nation.
Top 5 Performances of Rivalry Week
– Utah State beat New Mexico 44-41 in double overtime to clinch bowl eligibility thanks to the effort of Levi Williams (16-of-27, 198 passing yards, two touchdowns; 25 carries, 153 rushing yards, three touchdowns). His game-winning scramble was a great example of staying calm under pressure:
Williams has shown this ability to win games with his legs before. In the 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, he rushed for 200 yards and four touchdowns while passing for another score. That was the first time a quarterback had accomplished such a feat in a bowl. Next for Williams is applying for Navy SEAL training.
Shoutout to New Mexico’s Jacory Croskey-Merritt who did his best to take the Lobos to victory (31 carries, 233 yards, one touchdown).
– Boise State beat Air Force 27-19 and claimed a bid to the Mountain West Conference Championship Game thanks to computer rankings. Colt Brennan Award finalist Ashton Jeanty was a nightmare once again for the defense (14 carries, 107 rushing yards, one touchdown; five receptions, 118 receiving yards, one touchdown). He has been one of the best running backs in the country. Without Jeanty, the Broncos would not have been able to make this incredible run to the title game.
– Sam Houston beat Middle Tennessee 23-20 as a potential game-tying field goal missed as time expired. After being on the end of so many close losses this year, it was nice to see the Bearkats have a game go their way. Linebacker Trevor Williams had a heavy impact (12 total tackles, 0.5 sacks) including this 31-yard pick six:
That made it back-to-back games with an interception for Williams. It was also his first touchdown since a 75-yard interception score in 2021. This season has seen him set career highs across the board. His 395 career tackles is a new program record (as a Division I program).
– Texas State won a high-scoring affair over South Alabama 52-44. Kole Wilson made an impact in multiple ways (six receptions, 102 receiving yards, one touchdown) including on special teams:
Wilson had two punt returns for touchdowns last season at Incarnate Word where he played under head coach G.J. Kinne. Now at Texas State, they’ve helped usher the program to its first bowl appearance. Only a sophomore, Wilson will be a name to watch next season.
– James Madison won 56-14 at Coastal Carolina to unofficially win the Sun Belt East. With props to Elijah Sarratt (six receptions, 107 yards, three touchdowns), Jordan McCloud reasserted himself at the top of the Colt Brennan Award Tracker. He was effective and explosive through the air (26-of-35, 324 yards, five touchdowns with one interception) and added one rushing touchdown. While it is a shame the Dukes will not be playing for the Sun Belt Championship, thanks to enough teams losing over the weekend, they (and Jacksonville State) will be able to play for bowl games after all. Watching McCloud and this team one last time this season will be a joy.
Honorable mentions: Ayo Adeyi, Joey Aguilar, Sieh Bangura, Kamdyn Benjamin, Peny Boone, Byrum Brown, Judge Culpepper, Moochie Dixon, Wyett Ekeler, TJ Finley, Ashtyn Hawkins, Makhi Hughes, Caullin Lacy, Luke McCaffrey, Austin Reed, Chandler Rogers, Brayden Schager, Preston Stone, Kairee Robinson, Ricky White
Top 3 Players to Watch in Conference Championship Week
Yes, this is a departure from the usual “Top 5 Players to Watch.” But it is coming down to crunch time, and the field has narrowed.
– Kaidon Salter did not have great passing numbers last week as Liberty ran all over UTEP (he did have 76 rushing yards). He’ll almost certainly have to be the dual-threat he’s been all year on Friday. The No. 24 Flames host New Mexico State for the Conference USA title in what should be one of the best games of the weekend in a rematch of the game played Sept. 9 (Liberty won 33-17). A big game by Salter to open up conference championship weekend could be what he needs to claim the award. The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
– A major swing game is going down at 3:00 p.m. ET on Fox. Ricky White and UNLV will host the Mountain West Championship Game coming off a loss to San José State. Ashton Jeanty and Boise State, who edged out San José State in the computer rankings, are riding in with momentum as winners of three straight. For the Rebels, it would be their first conference title since 1994 in the Big West Conference (they also won the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference in 1984 but it was vacated due to ineligible players). As for the Broncos, it would be their 21st. Will White help UNLV get a long-awaited conference crown, or will Jeanty lift Boise State back to glory?
Colt Brennan Award Finalists
Ashton Jeanty RB – Boise State
Jordan McCloud QB – James Madison
Kaidon Salter QB – Liberty
Ricky White WR – UNLV
About the author
I’m a Washington Huskies fan who is still amazed but not surprised that we didn’t have more success under Chris Petersen (I blame Jake Browning). Sports are my life. I know nothing else. I graduated from Bethany Lutheran College with a degree in Communication. I’ve been a part of a newspaper since 8th grade, including my college’s official newspaper where I was co-copy editor.
